Between 1996 and 2003, cars in New York City injured more than 3,500 bicyclists and killed 225. In its efforts to make its streets safer for bikes, the city...

Between 1996 and 2003, cars in New York City injured more than 3,500 bicyclists and killed 225. In its efforts to make its streets safer for bikes, the city Department of Transportation is planning to experiment with a new kind of bike lane popular in Europe. The lane will be 10 feet wide and built between the sidewalk and a lane of parked cars. To the right of the bike lane is an eight-foot section of pavement with plastic posts and large planters to act as a buffer and keep cars from entering, and beyond that are three traffic lanes. In addition, the city is adding a raised island to extend into the avenue for pedestrians, reducing the distance they have to travel to cross the street from 70 feet to 45 feet. The lane will run over seven blocks in the Chelsea neighborhood, and is expected to be completed in early November. To learn more about the project, click here.